By Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
The music of Bob Dylan will be interpreted in an array of different voices and styles on Nov. 7 at New York’s Beacon Theater by 16 unique and eclectic recording artists in celebration of Todd Haynes’ highly anticipated Dylan biopic “I’m Not There.” The film follows six distinct characters, depicting different stages of Dylan’s life, played by Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Marcus Carl Franklin and Ben Whishaw. It’s the first biographical feature project to get the stamp of approval from Dylan himself. The film will be released in theaters nationwide by The Weinstein Company on Nov. 21.
Produced by prolific indie concert promoter and Knitting Factory founder Michael Dorf, Jim Dunbar and Randall Poster, this one-off event features Jim James & Calexico, Cat Power, Yo La Tengo w/Buckwheat Zydeco, Terry Adams Rock & Roll Quartet, My Morning Jacket, Mason Jennings, Joe Henry, John Doe, Michelle Shocked & Jimmy LeFave, The Roots, Mark Lanegan, Ian Ball & Olly Peacock (of Gomez), Lee Ranaldo & the Million Dollar Bashers, J Mascis, Al Kooper & Funky Faculty, Terry Adams Rock & Roll Quartet, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, special guests and more to be announced.
Tickets are priced at seven levels: Platinum V.I.P. tickets — first three rows center orchestra are $1,000 and includes entrance to the after-show party. Gold V.I.P. tickets — first 15 rows center orchestra are $575, and includes entrance to the after-show party. Front orchestra V.I.P. tickets are $175; premium orchestra seats are $150; orchestra and loge seats are $100; lower balcony $80; and upper balcony $48.
The concert is sponsored by the Weinstein Company, Wolfgang’s Vault, WFUV Radio, and Search Party Music, with 100% of the net proceeds to benefit the non-profit organizations 826 National and 826 Valencia, which helps students 6-18 with expository and creative writing skills.
Michael Dorf founded the Knitting Factory in 1987 and has been one of the most prolific independent producers of eclectic music in New York City since. Recently, he has been producing tribute productions primarily at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher which have included in the last two years, the sell-out concerts of “The Music of Joni Mitchell,” “The Music of Bob Dylan,” “The Music of Bruce Springsteen” and “The Music of Elton John.”